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Postgame: FC Dallas

By: Adam Jardy

The Columbus Dispatch - June 29, 2014 07:23 PM

It was almost impossible to separate today’s on-field action from the real-life drama that had
taken place less than 20 hours prior.

With Columbus Fire lieutenant Stu Tudor in critical but stable condition after being struck by
lightning moments before the Crew was scheduled to kick off Saturday night against FC Dallas in
Crew Stadium, both teams eked out a scoreless draw in muggy conditions Sunday afternoon. From the
fans who showed up early to make signs of support for Tudor to the pregame statement read over the
public address system to the red ribbon worn by Crew coach Gregg Berhalter, it was clear that the
events of the previous night hung heavy over today’s competition.

When Berhalter was asked what he made of today, his answer was twofold.

“First of all, I want to give our best wishes and thoughts and prayers to Stu Tudor and his
family,” he said. “We’re all in his corner and he’s one of us. He was certainly on our minds the
last 24 hours.

“What do I make of the event? I will complement both teams for hanging in there and still trying
to play the game. The conditions were tough. The phones are saying it feels like 100 degrees and it
was very much like some of these games in Brazil. All the players on the field gave a great effort
and it’s a bit complement to them still coming out and sticking with it.”

A coach praising both teams for simply playing the game says it all. The game was canceled
Saturday at 9:12 p.m. and the reschedule date was not finalized until 12:43 a.m. this morning. That
meant an extra night in Columbus for Dallas, a change to everyone’s routines and less than 14 hours
to official begin preparations for the first game for each team since Major League Soccer’s
three-week World Cup break.

Crew defender Eric Gehrig said his first thought upon arriving at the stadium today was of
Tudor, but he and his teammates had to block that out when the whistle blew.

“It’s difficult of course,” captain Michael Parkhurst said. “When we got the news last night we
were all thinking of the gentlemen and his family. We’re professionals and when we come out here
you have to put everything to the side. You don’t think about your family, you don’t think about
outside stuff. You’ve got a job to do and a task at hand and just focus on that. I think the guys
did a good job with that.

“We’re all aware of the situation and what’s going on. During those 90 minutes I don’t think it
took a toll on anyone. Not to take away from the situation, but as professionals that’s what we
have to do: block out everything that’s on the outside and focus on the task at hand.”

The conditions didn’t help things. Temperatures ranged in the upper 80s and although a brief
rainstorm had fans running for cover during the first half, Berhalter said the dry field was a
stark contrast to the wet field he expected would have yielded a fast-paced game Saturday
night.

The decision to play the game today was made by MLS, according to a statement.

“The health and safety of our fans is always our top priority, and we believe it was the right
decision to postpone the match,” MLS executive vice president Dan Courtemanche said. “The decision
to reschedule the game to Sunday afternoon was made by the League. When matches are postponed, MLS’
standard policy is to reschedule the game to the next day if possible. This policy is similar to
other professional sports leagues. We apologize for any inconvenience to the fans.”

After the game, Crew players and coaches signed one of the banners for Tudor.

“It’s not surprising from the fans in the Nordecke,” Gehrig said. “Those guys are great. They’re
behind everyone in the Crew family whether it’s the players, the coaches the personnel or the fans.
We’re all in it together. I think all Crew Nation is behind Stu and hopefully he can pull through
here.”

With one game before the midway point of the season, midfielder Justin Meram said the draw at
home was not what the Crew wanted.

“We definitely could’ve gotten three points for sure,” he said. “We didn’t create enough,
including myself. In the first half I thought we were pretty good. In the second half I don’t know
what happened but we need to create more chances.”

FacesAfter missing the last three games before the World Cup break, midfielder and vice captain
Wil Trapp made his return to the Crew lineup. Trapp started and was replaced in the 68th minute as
he continues to work his way back to full fitness.

“The knee feels great,” he said. “Honestly it’s more just getting the fitness back. I was still
a little tired out there and it was a hot day. (I’m) getting back into a rhythm and just being
clear on the ball. I gave a few away where I just wasn’t as aware as I needed to be. That comes
from getting back into training and getting back into the swing of things. It’s frustrating but
these are things I can work on. It’s great to be back out playing.”

Designated player Federico Higuain, who missed the last game and a half with a hamstring injury,
came on as a substitute for only the third time in his Crew career. He replaced Ben Speas in the
68th minute.

Kevan George made his season debut in relief of Trapp. The Trinidad & Tobago international
made seven appearances for USL Pro affiliate Dayton before being recalled to the Crew.

“We used that relationship (with Dayton) to give Kevan playing time and to get him fit and get
him confident,” Berhalter said. “We had the goal that we’d bring him back at some point and add him
to our squad and hopefully he could perform. He did that today. I think he did well and that’s what
these relationships are about with our affiliate club. We want to help them with performance but
also give our guys minutes and rhythm.”

As for Trapp and Higuain, Berhalter said the important thing is “to get them minutes. We want
them back and want them in form and you start by getting them minutes. Overall I think it was a
good exercise for both of them.”

Midfielder Alvaro Rey, acquired just before the Crew’s last game before the break, made his
debut when he relieved Meram in the 80th minute. He was part of a nice Crew build-up that nearly
resulted in a Jairo Arrieta goal.

“He had a decent combination on that chance we had with Jairo,” Berhalter said. “He needs to get
into it. He needs to get fit and he will and he needs to get integrated into our system but that
will come. He showed some spark today.”